Oregon’s offense more potent than Wisconsin’s heading into Rose Bowl

MADISON  Wisconsin fans again this season have been treated to an offense capable of moving the football into the end zone against just about any defense in the country.

UW (11-2) enters the Rose Bowl ranked No. 4 nationally in scoring at 44.6 points per game, 10th in rushing at 237.4 yards per game, 15th in total yards at 466.9 per game and second in red-zone offense with a 96 percent conversion rate (67 of 70) and a national-best 61 touchdowns.

UW’s opponent Jan. 2 in the Rose Bowl, Pacific 12 Conference champion Oregon (11-2), features a no-huddle, spread offense that is more explosive than the Badgers’.

The Ducks are third nationally in scoring at 46.2 points per game, fifth in rushing at 295.7 yards per game, sixth in total offense at 515.2 yards per game and tied for 36th in red-zone offense with an 86 percent conversion rate (54 of 63) with 48 touchdowns.

James rushed for 219 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-31 victory over UCLA in the Pac 12 title game Friday.

He became the first player in league history to rush for at least 1,500 yards in three seasons. He has 52 rushing touchdowns in three seasons with the Ducks, which is tied with USC’s LenDale White (2003-’05) for the No. 2 mark in league history.

Thomas completed 20 of 36 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns against the Bruins. He has a program-record 63 touchdown passes in three seasons.

“You’ve got some of the premier players in the world of college football,” Bielema said. “It should be a great build-up for a great game.”

Wilson was named the MVP of the Big Ten title game against Michigan State on Saturday night after passing for 187 yards and three touchdowns and catching two passes for 31 yards.

He has completed 72.9 percent of his passes for 2,879 yards, with 31 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Ball rushed 27 times for 137 yards and three touchdowns and added a receiving touchdown against the Spartans. He has rushed for 1,759 yards and his season touchdown total of 38 is one off the all-time record of 39, set in 1988 by Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders.

“I’ve been a huge fan of Russell when he was at N.C. State,” Kelly said. “And then watching what he did in his only year at Wisconsin. …

“I think you’re playing against arguably the best quarterback-running back combination in college football right now.

“It is fun to watch them on tape. Hopefully it won’t be as fun when we see them in person. But I know it is going to be a battle to shut those guys down.”

Because the Ducks won the Pac 12 title on Friday, the coaches were able to watch UW rally to beat Michigan State,

42-39, on Saturday.

“I don’t get to watch a lot of college football because we’re playing,” Kelly said. “But I watched the whole game.

“That was one for the ages. It was a great college football game to watch, just to see how hard the kids from Wisconsin competed, making plays all over the field.

“I think it is going to be a great game.”

Despite the contrasting style of offense, Bielema and Kelly have something in common.

Both are looking for their first BCS bowl victory.

Kelly, in his third season as head coach, is 0-2.

The Ducks lost to Ohio State in the 2010 Rose Bowl and lost to Auburn in the BCS title game last season.

“For the Rose Bowl in this conference, it’s the pinnacle,” Kelly said.

Bielema, in his sixth season as head coach, is 0-1. UW lost to Texas Christian in the Rose Bowl last season.

“The 2011 season is its own journey,” Bielema said, pointing to regular-season losses against Michigan State and Ohio State. “For us to lose the two games that we did and to battle back the last four weeks of the season and (Saturday) to win the way that we did against Michigan State is a journey in itself.

“For us to be rewarded with the opportunity to play Oregon and everything they stand for is truly special.”